Image Credit- AFP
On Wednesday, Tim
Southee cut a lone figure out in the centre of Hagley Oval. It is not often
that there is nobody on the pitch in the middle of the afternoon, two days
after a Test match.
However, Southee was playing shuttles by himself on the lush outfield while the
players from New Zealand practiced in the nets out back and the ground crew had
vanished to take care of other concerns.
As they play their 100th Test match together, Southee and teammate Kane
Williamson are celebrating throughout this week. However, Southee doesn’t feel
quite as jubilant as Williamson does. It could have been relieving to spend
some time alone himself thinking, but it could have also been agonising.
With a 1-0 deficit
in the two-Test series, New Zealand is under pressure, and Southee is at the
heart of it. Although his criticism of Southee and the team has not been as
harsh or pointed as some in the media have thought, former New Zealand captain
Ross Taylor has occasionally spoken his opinions.
But there’s no need to tell Southee. He isn’t hiding from the fact that he is
aware of his recent Test record.
“You always want to be performing at your best and I think there’s no
hiding from the fact that the currency we deal in as a bowler is wickets, and
the last three Test matches I haven’t got the wickets I would have liked,”
Southee said on Thursday.
“I still feel like there’s more to it. There’s roles within that as well.
I have probably not been where I should be as the most experienced bowler
seamer the side. But like everyone, each week you’re trying to get better. Each
week you’re trying to go out and put your best foot forward. Prepare as well as
you can to give yourself the best chance and that’s the same over the last
couple of days. I’ve done that.
“But there’s no hiding from the fact that the last couple of Test matches
have been disappointing. I know that. I’d always like more wickets. And
hopefully, there’s some to come.”